Pre-Teen Youth Worker (Summer Positions)

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Youth Workers are responsible for leading a team of 10-15 summer youth program participants (rising 4th graders through rising 8th graders or 9-13 years old) through a 6–8 week summer enrichment program that includes educational, recreational, art, community exploration/service and field trip activities. Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP) offers safe and fun summer programming for pre-teens and middle schoolers to connect with peers, build leadership skills, and explore a range of enriching activities in an inclusive environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help develop, implement, and lead summer program activities including recreation and field trips.
• Work with other program staff to help plan and implement summer program primary events. Events will consist of field day Olympics, parent’s night, and summers end celebration.
• Keep accurate and detailed records documenting participant’s involvement. This will entail documenting programmed activities, filling out incident reports, collecting and filling out attendance sheets and collecting data for the evaluation of summer program activities.
• Maintain facilities and equipment.
• Provide a safe structured and stimulating environment for youth center members and volunteers.
• Attend and participate fully in staff meetings, planning sessions, other meetings, staff development and training programs and activities as directed.
• Be a positive role model to youth and develop meaningful relationships with youth center members.
• Actively engaging in and supporting the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Prior experience working with elementary and middle school youth in an academic, recreational, or athletic setting.
• HS Diploma/GED required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Should have outstanding leadership, organizational, and team building skills.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with Cambridge neighborhoods preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position is subject to Background Records check which can include: Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, Sexual Offender Record Information (SORI) check, Department of Children and Families (DCF) check, and fingerprinting. A copy of a recent physical is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• Main work environment is a busy, often very noisy Youth Center. Youth Centers include classroom like settings, open environments & gymnasium.
• Must be able to lift fifty pounds and participate in various sport and recreational activities that require physical exertion.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter